London, Nov 19(ANI): England legend Graham Gooch has branded captain Alastair Cook's innings against India in the ongoing Ahmedabad Test match as the best ever played by him.

Cook ended day four of the first Test match at 168 not out with no other batsman except wicket keeper Mat Prior crossing the half-century mark.

Gooch's pride in Cook's achievement was obvious as his apprentice showed plenty of his own traits like concentration, stamina and an unbendable desire to lead by example.

"When you have been in the game as long as I have you have seen most things - poor shots, poor decisions, and bad mistakes but then sometimes you see the opposite like we did today," the Telegraph quoted Gooch, as saying.

"It was great commitment from our guys, fighting spirit and belief in their ability. Alastair led the way as captain, which will do him a lot of good. By putting that score on the board he showed what he and the team are capable of," he added.

"He played an amazing innings for the team and did what was necessary when you are in charge. It was as good an innings I have seen him play. He was under great pressure after poor first innings performance, not from him, but by the team generally," he said.

Gooch added: "A lot of people have physical skill but you also need skill between the ears. This lad has had a great temperament from when he started. When he first came here [India] to make his Test debut, he scored hundred in Nagpur and he proved even then the priceless skill of knowing your strengths at a young stage in your career."

"I think that was as good an innings as I've seen him play, because he was under great pressure after a poor first-innings performance from the team," he added. (ANI)

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